Southaven, Mississippi — People started lining up as early as 4 in the morning Tuesday for a chance to see President Donald Trump — who arrived in Southaven just after 5:30 that night.

Trump came to Southaven to stump for Cindy Hyde-Smith's campaign for the U.S. Senate, but the audience came for a variety of reasons.

“We’re just here to support the president,” said Mike McCarter, wearing an Ole Miss shirt and a Make America Great Again hat. Lisa McCarter’s shirt read, “Adorable deplorable.”

McCarter said he hoped to hear how the president will stand behind his Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, who has been accused of sexual assault but has denied the accusations. He also wanted to hear about the midterm elections.

President Donald Trump is greeted by Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, center in glasses, and Tennessee Rep. David Kustoff, after arriving at Memphis International Airport ahead of his rally at the Landers Center in Southaven on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Mark Weber / The Commercial Appeal

Parker Fowler, 15, and Levi Adair, 8, both share a birthday Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. In line with their families, both boys each said it’s their best birthday ever. The families arrived at the Landers Center at 8:00 a.m. for President Donald Trump's rally, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Micaela Watts

The visit to Southaven, which is about 15 minutes from Memphis, came on the same day that the New York Times published an investigation that revealed Trump received at least $413 million from his father's real estate empire, much of which was through tax dodges in the 1990s.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders issued a statement on the story Tuesday, calling it a "misleading attack."

"Many decades ago the IRS reviewed and signed off on these transactions," Sanders said. "The New York Times’ and other media outlets’ credibility with the American people is at an all time low because they are consumed with attacking the president and his family 24/7 instead of reporting the news."

The Landers Center in Southaven was packed for Trump’s rally, with some watching the speech on a screen outside.

Buddy Coggin, a farmer from Nettleton, Mississippi, said he appreciated Trump's endorsement of Hyde-Smith. In the midst of the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct, Washington needs a woman in office, he said.

"We need nice people in politics, someone you can walk up to and talk to," he said.

Coming to DeSoto County meant Trump was in McDaniel country, and a couple dozen people inside a section of the arena sported red shirts in support of the U.S. Senate candidate. Their shirts said, "Trump Voters for Chris McDaniel," Hyde-Smith's opponent.

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President Donald Trump was vocal during a rally in Southaven, Mississippi Tuesday about military advancements.
Jason Munz, Southern Miss Sports Writer

Coggin's neighbor in the line, 65-year-old substitute teacher Michael Shotwell, was proudly wearing a "We want Chris #MAGA" t-shirt, a reference to Hyde-Smith's opponent, State Sen. Chris McDaniel. Shotwell said Trump would have supported the conservative McDaniel, but believed Trump wanted to stay on the good side of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for pragmatic reasons.

Shotwell criticized Hyde-Smith for voting for the omnibus spending bill, which didn't fund a border wall but continued to fund Planned Parenthood.

Shotwell said he most liked that Trump is "not afraid to do what's right." So, why didn't he endorse McDaniel? If he had, Trump would have alienated party leaders, Shotwell said.

Trump told voters that Hyde-Smith votes for him 100 percent of the time.

"She’s always had my back," he said. "She’s always had your back, and a vote for Cindy is a vote for me and Make America Great Again.”

Ethan Benefield, 17, drove from Saltillo, Mississippi to see Trump. Even though he couldn’t vote for him in 2016, he still wanted to support Trump, he said.

Benefield said drive to Southaven was “very worth it."

“To see him walk out in person was inspiring and it expanded my perspective on the entire role of the president,” he said. “That Trump wasn’t a politician before, shows that anyone can do it, that the dream is possible.”

I can answer the Commercial Appeal's question... to support my campaign for U.S. Senate! Proud to be the ONLY candidate in this race to have President Trump's full backing and endorsement! 😎😎😎https://t.co/MZKpWJVXu7

Nathan Riley, a farmer from Eudora, Mississippi, said he was hopeful that Trump's new trade agreement could relieve the struggles of purchasing costs he and other soybean farmers struggle with.

“Where I farm, it’s always been tough," Riley said. "But Delta farmers were really happy with the relief aid. I haven’t had a chance to talk to anyone about the new agreement, cause it just happened. But anything has to be better than NAFTA."

Riley’s friend, Brandon Howell, 30, from Tupelo, Mississippi, agreed.

“I think people on the left and right didn’t like NAFTA," Howell said. "I do believe that people on the left can get behind anything that overplays NAFTA.”

Before the rally began, heavy traffic snarled roads around the Landers Center and paramedics had assisted at least 29 people who fainted or complained of heat exhaustion after standing for hours to see the president.

A handful of protesters also stood outside the Landers Center, holding posters that said things like "Stop Deportation!"

One protester, Adam Conner, 26, started shouting out to those passing by.

"Everyone belongs in America! Keep families together!" he said.

Most walked by the protesters. A few stopped to debate. Others shouted back: “They’re illegal!” “You’re at the wrong rally,” and “Go home to your mama.”

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Trump supporters were instructed by a video to chant "Trump" if confronted by protesters.
Memphis Commercial Appeal

A group of about seven protesters left the area shortly before 7 p.m. One of them had a sign that spelled out Trump as “Tyrannical, Racist, Unpopular, Misogynistic, Pussygrabber.”

A Sheriff’s deputy objected to the word “pussy” and said technically protesters aren’t supposed to be on the property at all.

The protester eventually turned it to the other side, which said, “#BelieveWomen.”

Before they left, teacher Monica Nolen pointed to them to her young charges as an example of one of the things they’re studying: free speech.

Nolen was leading a group of about 15 students from West Junior High in West Memphis. “I try to teach them to listen to every point of view and respect it ... some of us are anti-Trump, some of us are pro-Trump.”

Trump wrapped up shortly after 8 p.m., with lines that echoed Winston Churchill’s “fight on the beaches” speech.

Audience members started leaving the arena.

Among them were Kevin Lane and Grayson Criner, both of whom wore red “Make America Great Again” hats. They’re both 18-year-old students at the University of Memphis.

“I thought the speech was real patriotic. I really liked it,” Lane said. “I agreed with everything he said. I like the fact that he’s out here doing so many rallies, talks to his supporters, gets people excited, gets people in the polls.”

Criner said, “I appreciate his support for Kavanaugh and bringing jobs back to America.”

President Donald Trump spoke for more than an hour at a campaign rally for U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Southaven, Mississippi Tuesday.
Jason Munz, Southern Miss Sports Writer

Real-time updates from President Donald Trump's rally:

8:15 p.m. — “When you look at what’s happening to Judge Kavanaugh, it’s a very important time," Trump said. "It’s not up to the media or the pundits to decide your fate. It’s up to you. The future is in your hands as it was in 2016.”

Trump wrapped up his speech by telling supporters that they are going to fight and “win, win, win.”

“We are one people, one family and one glorious nation under God, and together we will make America wealthy again, we will make America strong again, we will make America safe again and we will make America great again," he said before leaving the stage.

7:56 p.m. — Encouraging the crowd to vote Republican in the November midterms, Trump said that Republicans believe the United States should be a sanctuary for law-abiding citizens.

“They will turn America into Venezuela,” he said. “How is that working out? Our country will never be Venezuela. We will never let that happen.”

Later he attacked Bernie Sanders, calling him a “lunatic.”

“A guy like Bernie would be in charge of the budget committee,” he said.

7:35 p.m. — Trump welcomed Cindy Hyde-Smith onto the stage.

"Is he not the best president we have ever had?" Hyde-Smith asked the crowd. “He loves the veterans, he loves the military and he loves our law enforcement as well.”

“Cindy has voted with me 100 percent of the time," Trump said. "She’s always had my back. She’s always had your back, and a vote for Cindy is a vote for me and Make America Great Again.”

7:30 p.m. — Trump says to the crowd, "We’re thrilled to be here tonight and I’m having a lot of fun, but it’s true I’m having fun because no one would have ever believed in a million years that we would have accomplished what we have accomplished.”

Shortly before 7:30 p.m., Trump welcomed Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant onto the stage, saying he was "thrilled" to be joined by "great Republican leaders."

7:20 p.m. — Trump commented on the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford, noting that she did not remember how she got home following what she described as a sexual assault by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

“I had one beer, that’s all I remember,” Trump said, mocking Ford.

“I don’t know — over and over,” he said, referring to Ford’s testimony. “And a man’s life is in tatters.”

7:10 p.m. — “They’ve been trying to destroy Judge Kavanaugh since the very first second he was announced, because they know Judge Kavanaugh will follow the Constitution as written,” Trump said to the crowd, many of whom responded with cheers.

Chants of “We want Kavanaugh!” erupted throughout the center.

Kavanaugh is “like a perfect person who is destined for the Supreme Court,” Trump said.

7:07 p.m. — At the rally, Trump urged people to vote in upcoming elections. He said he’s not on the ballot in 2018, but that he is on the ballot “in a certain way.” The only reason to vote Democratic is if “you’re tired of winning,” he said.

He also extolled the new trade deal with Mexico and Canada as an incredible victory for farmers, ranchers, factory workers and the entire nation.

7 p.m. — President Donald Trump walked through the crowd of supporters inside the Landers Center shortly before 7 p.m., waving and posing for photos. Cheers sound as "God Bless the USA" played in the background.

A group of about seven protesters left the area shortly before 7 p.m. One of them had a sign that spelled out Trump as “Tyrannical, Racist, Unpopular, Misogynistic, Pussygrabber.”

‪A Sheriff’s deputy objected to the word “pussy” and said technically protesters aren’t supposed to be on the property at all.

‪The protester eventually turned it to the other side, which said, “#BelieveWomen.”

‪Before they left, teacher Monica Nolen pointed to them to her students as an example of one of the things they’re studying: free speech.

‪Nolen was leading a group of about 15 students from West Junior High in West Memphis. “I try to teach them to listen to every point of view and respect it ... some of us are anti-Trump, some of us are pro-Trump.”

‪Shortly before 7 p.m., the arena was reportedly at capacity. Some people stayed to watch the speech on a big screen outside.

6:37 p.m. — A large American flag set the backdrop for Trump's speech. Supporters were holding a variety of signs in the crowd, some reading "Drain the Swamp" and "Finish the Wall." There were also some pink signs that read "Women for Trump."

6:15 p.m.— Coming to DeSoto County means Trump is in McDaniel country, and there were a several people inside a section of the arena wearing red shirts in support of the U.S. Senate candidate. Trump is stumping for Chris McDaniel's opponent tonight, Cindy Hyde-Smith. Their shirts say "Trump Voters for Chris McDaniel."

6:10 p.m. — The rally began with a prayer and several introductions. Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves tells the audience, “Mississippi is Trump country.”

Trump was expected to take the stage at around 6:40 p.m.

5:55 p.m. — Lucien Smith, Mississippi Republican Party Chair, referred to multiple sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, as a “smear” and Democratic Party “trick” that Cindy Hyde-Smith, who Trump had come to support, didn’t fall for. His remarks were answered by loud cheers.

5:35 p.m. — As Trump's caravan traveled on Church Road in Southaven, dozens of people lined up waiting for a glimpse of Trump. Some stood atop their cars in the Waffle House parking lot to see.

By 5:33 p.m. the caravan parked at the Landers Center.

Four protesters stood near the entrance with posters with slogans such as “Stop Deportation!” One of them, Adam Conner, 26, of Southaven started shouting out to the people passing by: “Everyone belongs in America! Keep families together!”

Most people continued to walk past them. A few stopped to debate. Others shouted back: “They’re illegal!” “You’re at the wrong rally,” and “Go home to your mama.”

One Asian man said to the protesters, “I came here legally!” That drew some approving shouts from people around.

5:30 p.m. — Trump, in a bright blue tie, exited Air Force One to applause and was greeted by a small entourage, including U.S. Congressman David Kustoff (R-Tennessee), Congressman Trent Kelly (R-Mississippi) and Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant.

Trump gave a wave and thumbs up and got into a caravan. He was traveling on Interstate 55, which was shut down for the occasion.

In Southaven, Buddy Coggin, a farmer from Nettleton, Mississippi, said he appreciated Trump's endorsement of Hyde-Smith, calling her a "nice person." In the midst of the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct, Washington needs a woman in office, he said.

"We need nice people in politics, someone you can walk up to and talk to," he said.

His neighbor in the line, 65-year-old substitute teacher Michael Shotwell, was proudly wearing a "We want Chris #MAGA" t-shirt, a reference to Hyde-Smith's opponent, State Sen. Chris McDaniel. Shotwell said Trump would have supported the conservative McDaniel, but believed Trump wanted to stay on the good side of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for pragmatic reasons.

Shotwell criticized Hyde-Smith for voting for the omnibus spending bill, which didn't fund a border wall but continued to fund Planned Parenthood.

Asked what he liked the most about Trump, Shotwell said, "He's not afraid to do what's right." So, why didn't he endorse McDaniel? Because of he hadn't, Trump would have alienated party leaders, Shotwell said.

Mike and Lisa McCarter and their friend Midge Bagwell drove about 30 miles from Holly Springs.

They arrived at 11 a.m., waited outside in line until about 3:30 p.m. and snagged seats in the front row.

“We’re just here to support the president,” Mike McCarter, wearing an Ole Miss shirt and a Make America Great Again hat, said. Lisa McCarter’s shirt read “Adorable deplorable.”

Mike McCarter said he hoped to hear how the president will stand behind his Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, who has been accused of sexual assault but has denied the accusations.

He also wanted to hear about the midterm elections.

If the Democrats win enough seats to be the majority in the House of Representatives, he said, it will bring what he sees as progress to “a grinding halt.”

Bagwell agreed, and said she wants to hear “how we’re going to keep this momentum up.”

5:10 p.m. — At the rally, the criticism of the news media started outside the building.

A screen visible to those in line urged people to look at Trump’s Facebook page to get the real news about him.

The same screen played old clips from pundits on CNN saying they thought there was no way Trump could become president. Music swelled as the news clips shifted to reports of Trump’s 2016 win.

A woman handed out promotional cards for The Epoch Times newspaper with the tagline “Reporting on Trump without Bias.” The Epoch Times is a newspaper associated with China’s Falun Gong movement.

Trump supporter Raymond Starcher, 49, said his source of information is QAnon. “They’re reporting the truth of what’s really going on because mainstream media won’t do it.”

5 p.m. — President Donald Trump landed in Air Force One at Tennessee Air National Guard 164th near East Shelby Drive.

4:40 p.m. — Inside the Landers Center, attendees began filing in three hours before Trump was set to take the stage. On the main floor of the center, a booth in the corner was selling Trump and MAGA merchandise. A screen at one end of the center had a photo of Trump in front of a waving flag that said “Mississippi welcomes President Donald J. Trump.”

4:30 p.m.— Heavy traffic snarled roads around the Landers Center. One of The Commercial Appeal’s reporters sat in traffic for over an hour after taking a few wrong turns, finally parking in a field.

Vendors walked among slow-moving vehicles. One vendor said, “Hey boss, can I get you a hat today?”

The people walking long distances to the stadium included some using wheelchairs. One elderly woman was using a walker.

Interstate 55 was closed from Shelby Drive to Pleasant Hill Road from 5-5:30 p.m. and 8-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, affecting both the North and Southbound lanes, according to DeSoto County.

4:10 p.m. — Paramedics were called to assist at least five people who fainted or complained of heat exhaustion after standing for hours to see the president.

As hundreds waited outside the front doors at 3:30 p.m., vendors moved through the crowd. Charlotte-based Tim Engelskirchen among them, with a wagon of red knockoff "Make America Great Again" caps in tow.

"Half price! 10 bucks!" Engelskirchen said. He said this was his 150th rally, and that the business of following Trump is good.

2:30 p.m. — Though spirits were still generally high, several people began to complain about the lack of vendors selling cold water.

The heat index remained in the 90s, and few clouds offered respite for those lined up to see Trump.

At least one ambulance arrived for a crowd member. It was unclear if the medical emergency was heat-related.

2:20 p.m. — When asked about the newly-formed trade agreement, USMCA, one farmer from Eudora, Mississippi, Nathan Riley, said he was hopeful that the trade agreement could relieve the struggles of purchasing costs he and many other soybean farmers face.

“Where I farm, it’s always been tough," Riley said. "But Delta farmers were really happy with the relief aid. I haven’t had a chance to talk to anyone about the new agreement, cause it just happened. But anything has to be better than NAFTA."

Riley’s friend, Brandon Howell, 30, from Tupelo, Mississippi, agreed.

“I think people on the left and right didn’t like NAFTA," Howell said. "I do believe that people on the left can get behind anything that overplays NAFTA.”

1:20 p.m. — An automatic video projected on a screen outside the Landers Center instructed the crowd on how to handle anti-Trump protesters. The voice-over said that Trump supported the First Amendment, but that some have taken advantage of his support and intrude into rallies meant for Americans who want to "Make America Great Again."

Listeners were encouraged to not be violent, but rather to surround the protesters and chant "Trump" repeatedly until officers can remove them.

12:30 p.m. — Parker Fowler turned 15 today. Levi Adair was turning 8. Together, the two friends, along with their families are having “the best birthday ever,” he said, waiting for President Donald Trump to make an appearance at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi.

Parker and Levi’s families arrived to the Landers Center at 8 a.m. to be sure they would gain entrance to one of President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign rallies.

The rally, one of several to take place in the Southeast U.S. this month, had already drawn a crowd of hundreds outside of the venue, in spite of a heat index hovering in the mid-90s.

The reason for the early line-up was because of the lack of assigned seating, said several attendees.

“I wasn’t about to miss this,” said Gloria Hardy, 65, of Hernando, who had to shout over the sounds of Elton John on the loudspeaker. “I don’t mind the wait, thought it’s hot. We’re all just out here having a good time, waiting for our president.”

With every passing minute until President Trump is expected to arrive, small groups of two and three trickled up to the back of the line, extending a trail of people several hundred feet from the front of the Landers Center.

Trump would be there that night to stump for Cindy Hyde-Smith in Southaven as Republicans work to maintain a Senate majority in November's midterm elections.